From Broken Sister To Beloved Wife

ld. That ended the day they brought Francis home-a manipulative liar t

e injuries to sabotaging the neuro-li

chose his crocodile

nna. Thanks to you," Brya

ood bedroom right in front of m

ea I was about

ract with their biggest rival, a man who sa

way-I was taking all of

pte

na

ealization that my family had become strangers, their eyes reflecting

mise of invisibility, and a final, brutal severance. The silence in my office was heavy, broken only by my own s

elligent, yet surprisingly gentle. He had seen the raw edges of my talent, the way my mind worked

e a low rumble. "Once you sign, there's no l

han I've ever been about anything," I whispered,

not exactly, but it held a possessiveness I recognized. It was the look of a man who knew he was getting something invaluable. The unease t

definitive stroke that felt like cutting a cord. This wasn' t j

ongue, a new beginning tasting of crisp mountain air and anonymity. I had exactly one week to disman

to say

oicemail, each missed ring a tiny hammer blow to my already shattered hope. I left a message, a stilted in

ternity of ringing, his voice, sharp and impatient, cut

ice thin, almost pleading. "I thought... maybe w

tted to Francis, to the "long-lost" son of our father' s partner. Francis, with his manufactured cha

ce dripped with disdain, a familiar,

t, a desperate, childish attempt at manipulation, even as I hated myself fo

ow murmur I couldn't quite catch. Then, his voice, colder than

aced bruise, a whispered lie about me pushing him. Before that, a feigned allergic reaction to a dish I'

resolve hardening. This was my last chance, my final, futile b

st imperceptible voice in the background,

liar exasperation. "Yes, Francis. It's Jen

ounded almost wistful. "She always ma

ing to ash. He complimented my work, eve

offered, my voice barely a wh

eluctant permission. The unspoken word hung

, and immediately began prepa

w of the city lights. I stood in the doorway, a simple thermos clutched in my hand, feeling like an alien. There were only t

na, you came!" His voice was weak, but his smile wa

flat. I poured a small cup, the warm,

he murmured, his gaze resting on me, a mixture of gratitude and somethi

l portion for myself, and retreated t

e," I mumbled, not

riefly startled, quickly averted his gaze, turning his attentio

to Paris. Or maybe the Alps! It's been too long since we traveled together." He looked at

violently I almost dropped it. Paris. The Alps. Empty

barely audible. "I'm leaving

an avoiding your responsibilities, as usual." His eyes

but Howard cut me off, his v

hing. Francis needs peace and quiet to recover. Your presence clearly isn't helping."

ng. My throat was dry, my heart a lead weight in my chest

ld silence. They had no idea this wasn't just

into Jenna's old room? It's bigger, and closer to the main wing." His eyes, when they final

, Francis. It's not like she uses it anymore. Al

hest. "Of course," I said, my voice flat, hollow.

tched with genuine confusion. They remembered my past refusals, my fierce protectiveness over my spa

ter, Jenna," Bryan warned, his eyes

"I've accepted things. It's for the best. Easier fo

es, and Francis remained silent, sipping h

Francis eventually declared himself tired, a clear signal for

Howard, stern but protective. Bryan, mischievous but loyal. Laughter, shared secrets, a sense of belon

d a fragile whisper caught

e ans